Cultivator



April 10, 1928.

T. A. MOOR E CULTIVATOR Filed March 5, 1927 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Attorney April 10, 1928.

T. .A. MOORE CULTIVATOR Filed March 5, 1927 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 f! w/ M0 f Attorngy T. A. MOORE April 10, 1928.

CULTIVATOR Fi led March 5, 1927 4 Sheets-Shut 5.

, Inventor Arm rn ey Patenteizl Apr. 10, 1928,

\ UNITEDSTATES PATENT OFFICE.

THOMAS A. MOORE, OF ELDON, IOWA.

cum'rvii'ron.

Application filed March 5, 1927. Serial No. 173,065.

The present invention. relates to a cultivator of the motor driven type and has for one of its important objects toprovide a machine of this nature, wherein the driver thereof is seated in a position where he may have a full, unobstructedview of the cultivating implements, so as to follow them in their operations.

Another very important object of the invention lies in the provision of a machine of this nature, embodying a steering mechanism which when operated to steer the machine to the right or to the left-will cause the shifting of the main frame to the right or to the left respectively. i i

A still further very important object of the invention lies in the provision of a cultivator of this nature which is motor driven and has the driving mechanism located to the rear of the main frame'and behind the driver. v

Another very important object of the machino lies in the provision of an exceedingly simple structure, that may be manufactured at a reasonably low cost and will prove thoroughly efficient and reliable in operation, easy to manipulate and control, and otherwise well adapted to the purpose for which it is designed.

With the above and numerous other objects in view, as will appear as the description proceeds, the invention. resides in certain novel. features of construction, and in v the combination and arrangement of parts as will be hereinafter more fully described and claimed.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of the machine embodying the features of my invention.

Figure 2 is a top plan view thereof.

Figure 3 is a vertical transverse section, taken substantially on the line 33 of Figure 2, looking forwardly. i i 1 Figure 4 is a fragmentary sectional top plan view,ofa rear portion of the machine,

Figure 5 is-an enlarged detail longitudinal section taken vertically substantially 011 the line 55 of Figure2. i p

Figure 6isan enlarged detail longitudinal section taken vertically on the line 66 of Figure 2.

Figure 7 is an enlarged detail section, taken substantially on the line 7-1-7 of Fig ure 1, and

FigureS is an enlarged detail horizontal section taken substantially on the line 88 of Figure 1.

Referring to the drawing in detail, it will be seen that the main frame includes a pair of spaced parallel side beams A, the intermediate portions of which are straight and horizontal. as is indicated at 5. The forward ends of these intermediate portions merge llllDO downwardly and forwardlyinclined extensions 6, while the rear ends ntierge into downwardly and rearwardly inclined extensions 7 The beams A are connected by cross bars 8, 9, and 10, and also by a saddle 11, supporting a 'drivers seat 12, which is disposed forwardly of the rear of the interme diate portions 5 and to the rear of the centers thereof. A rear axle 1a is fixedto the extremities of the extensions 7, by suitable means 15, or in anyother preferred manner. The intermediate portion of this axle 14 is of an inverted lJ-shaped formation which in clines upwardly and rearwardly. A gearing frame 16 rises from the centers of cross bars 8 and 9. The shaft 17 is journaled hori zontally through the upperportion of the frame 16, and the rear portion of this shaft inclines upwardly as at 18 and terminates in a loop 19, the plane of which is vertical. This loop 19 forms the steering wheel and is situated immediately in front of the drivers seat 12 as is apparent from an inspection of Figures 1 and 2. A gear 20 is fixed to the shaft 17, within the frame 16 and meshes with an idler gear 21, journaled in the frame, immediately below the gear 20. The idler gear 21 meshes with. a driven gear 22, which isdisposed in the frame below the gear 21 and is fixed on a shaft 23, which projects forwardly from the frame 16 and also through. an. auxiliary frame 24-, on the front of the steering gear frame 16. A plate 25 is disposed vertically and has the forward ends of shafts 17 and 23 journaled therein. An inverted U-shaped brace 26 has its bight portion secured to the plate 25, by a U-bolt 27, 'or in any other suitable manner. The lower GXlJlGlIllll'lGSOf this brace 26 are extended outwardly and laterally, to be engaged with the forward extremities of the extensions 6 by clamps 28 and 29. A cross bar 30 has nalecl thereon front wheels 33. Arms 34 pro ect forwardly from the steering sleeves 31 and are connected togetheriby link A red 36 is engaged with the left hand. arm 34: and is also engaged with a crank 37 on the driven shaft 23. A rod 38 is engaged with one end of the bar by a clamp 39, and is engaged with an eccentricully mounted pin on'the driven gear 22. hen the wheels are disposed in a straight ahead. position as is shown in Figure 2, it will be seen that the eccentrically mounted pin. is disposed ver tically below the or the shaft 23 and the crank 3"? is pointing upwardly and vertically and the arms 3% are directed straight ahead. A roller 4-2 is mounted on the shaft :23, within theauxiliary t frame 2i andrides on the bar 30. Wheels 4-3 are journaled on the extremities of the rear axle 14. from the description as it has thus for pro grossed, it will be seen that if the steering wl1eel 19 is rotated to steer the machine to the right, the main frame will also be shifted to the right, because of the action of rod 38, in association with the pin 40 on the gear 22, and theengagement of this rod with the bar 30. The. main frame will move to the right with a minimum amount of friction because of the roller 42 which will ride on the 'bar 30. i

It will be further seen that if the steering mechanism is actuated to steer the machine to the left, the main frame will be shifted to the left in the same manner. It is to be noted that the arms 34: are preferably mounted at the upper ends of the sleeves 31 and the sleeves 31 turn with the steering lnuucltles, on the downwardly directed extremities of the bars 30. The lower ends of the sleeves 31 and the steering knuckles are properly braced by an inverted V-shaped brace structure 4a, the center portion of which. is connected to straps 45, which are bent about the bar 30. The extremities of the brace 4:4: are secured to the steering knuckles through straps 46.

An engine supporting frame includes a pair of beams i'i, slidable between brackets 48 fixed on the cross barlO, so as to be spaced inwardly from the side beams A. These beams 47 project rearwardly and rest on the bights of the inverted U-shaped center portion ofthe rear axle l l. An engine 49 is mounted at the-rear ends'of the beams 4-7 and has a driving connection 50 with a differential and axle shaft 51 ofconventional construction, disposed forwardly of the enpine and suitably secured to the beams 47. A chain .and sp rocket drive mechanism 52 is associated with each end of the mechanism 51 and the corresponding drive wheel 43.

A bracket 54 of L-shaped formation has the upper end of its vertical portion fixed to the bar 10. The horizontal lower portion of this bracket hoe-extends rearwardly and is secured in any suitable manner to the rear axle. A radius rod structure or of ti -shaped formation has a double lug-ht portion indicated by the numeral 59, which extends horizontally below the main frame and straddles the vertical arm of the bracket Fi l. and is loosely connected therewith by a bolt (30. The forward extremities of the Uslurped radius rod structure 58 are curved dowuwardly and secured by clamps (52 to the lowor ends of the sleeves 31. "lhus, this l;l lillf-l rod structure allows the shifting of the main frame as the machine is steered.

Bolts 56 are fixed to the beams l? and DH) ject forwardly through opei'iiugrs in the bur 10. Nuts 56 are threaded on the bolts 56 to engage the bar 10 so l'lm the engine frame may be moved forwardly by t l-rowing the nuts on the bolts thereby tightening chain drives 7.

Implement beams fist are roekable at their forward ends on the later: l extensions of the brace 26, as is clearly seen in Figure 52,

"and project rear "ardly therefrom, and are preferably shaped in an angular manner at their rear ends, so that cultivating; implements and the like may be secured thereto in lateral stepped relation. A shaft (36 is journaled across the upper portions of the extensions 6 of the side beams A and have cranlrs 67 thereon with connecting rods 68 pivot-ally engaged with their ends and pivotally engaged with intermediate portions of the implement beams (iii. in. crank (35) is fixed to the shaft (56 and has engaged therewith a connecting rod 70. A. lever Tl has a suitable detent structure 72 mounted thereon for engaging a rack segment 73 on the left hand side beam A" upon which the intermediate portion of the lever 71 is pivoted as at 7 The connecting rod 70 is engaged with the lower extremity of this lever 71. It will be quite apparent that by rocking the lever 71, the rear ends of the implen'ient beams 64- may be lowered and raised, as desired, and held in different adjusted positions because of the detent 752 and the rack segment 73. This lever 71 is located in a convenient position to be mauipu-- lated from the drivers seat 12.

From the above detailed description. it will be seen that the operal or in the seat 12 may conveniently and accurately control the cultivator. He is in the same relative position to the gangs of implements 65 as is commonly employed in the one row horse drawn cultivator, the motor and transmission mechanism being behind him to the rear of the machine and thus not interfering with his view of the work. It will further be seen that the combination of shifting the machine frame laterally on the front axle structure in conjunction with the pivoting of the front wheels as a gang shifting and tractor steering mechanism is very important as this till ltlll mechanism lnakes it possible for the attach 111g of the load dlrectly to the main frame,

thus bringing the combination of simplicity and strength into play. The drive and engine mechanism used are parts of the wellknown Ford automobile, which enables the machine to be constructed at a relatively low cost. The importance of the shifting of the frame simultaneous with the steering of the machinewill be appreciated by noting that the rear wheels will. not pass over the ground which dug up by the cultivating implements when the machine is making a turn as would he the case if the frame did not shift in the direction of the turn.

It is thought that the construction, opera.- tion, and advantages of this machine will. now be quite apparent to those skilled in this art, without a more detailed description thereof. The present embodiment of the in vention has been disclosed in detail merely by way of example, since in actual practice, it attains the features of advantage enumerated as desirable in the statement of the invention and the above description. t will be apparent that changes in the details of construction, and in the combination and arrangement of parts may he resorted to, with out departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed or sacrificing any of its advantages.

the lower shaft, a second connecting rod engaged with the second crank, and with a crank on one of the sleeves, a crank on the other sleeve, and a connecting rod between the two last mentloned cranks.

2. A machine of the class described comprising a frame, rear wheels, means mount-- ing the rear wheels on the rear of the frame,

front wheels, steering knuckles for said front wheels, sleeves fixed to said steering knuckles and projecting therefrom vertical- 1y, a cross bar having downwardly extending ends at the tops of the sleeves, anti-friction means on the frame engaging said cross bar, an auxiliary framerising from the first frame, a pair of horizontal shafts journaled in vertical spaced relation to the auxiliary frame, gearing between the shafts in the auxiliary frame, a roller on the lower shaft ridable on the cross bar, crank on the lower shaft, a connecting rod engaged with the crank and engaged with the bar, a second crank on the lower shaft, a second connecting rod engaged with the second crank and with a crank on one of the sleeves, a c 'ank on the other sleeve, and a connecting rod between the two last mentioned cranks, a seat, means for supporting the seat in the center of the first frame, and drive means on the rear of the first frame for the rear wheels.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

THOMAS A. MOORE. 

